The Mustang Messenger

Students had a great time at our Monster Mash on Friday. Thank you to our ASB students for putting on a great event.

Next week is Halloween. If your student plans on dressing up, please note the costume guideline found in the newsletter.

Have a great weekend,

Catherine Nicholas, Ed, D.

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces (who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable).

School will be closed on Friday, November 10th in recognition of Veteran's Day.

Last week, the Rancho Pico Library held its second Annual Chess Tournament in celebration following National Chess Day which was on October 14th. Thirty-two students signed up to compete in the tournament and we were able to get down to two winners today at lunch. Congratulations to Nimrat Dhaliwal and Roger Li! Thank you to all who participated.

Students enjoyed Rancho Pico's Monster Mash last Friday where they danced the afternoon away, ate donuts from the Donut Truck, docorated faces and cookies and took pictures with friends in the photo booth.

Gratitude Day is coming up on Wednesday 11/8/23. This is an opportunity to take a breath from this busy time of year and tell our Mustangs THANK YOU.

Students have been working hard on their academics, and earning PBIS rewards for acting responsibly, and showing respect. We want to recognize these achievements and encourage their continuing success.

On Gratitude Day, students will start their day with a bag of treats as they walk into school. The Rancho Pico PAC is asking for snack donations for this fun and encouraging morning for the children.

If you are able to donate, please click the link below. All donations should be dropped off at the front office no later than Friday, 11/3/23 at 3:00 PM

Thank you,

The Rancho Pico PAC

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4FA5A72FA2FC1-gratitude

The new digital PBIS reward system has been a huge success so far this school year!

We need parent volunteers to pack up prizes that the students earn. New dates through December have been added to the Sign Up Genius page.

If interested, please click the link below to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4FA5A72FA2FC1-student

Thank you,

The Rancho Pico PAC

West Ranch students have set up this program to assist students who want to start prepping for high school math. Please see flyer for more information:

Hello Rancho Pico 8th Grade Families,

Add a Yearbook tribute for your 8th grade student in this year’s book. This is your chance to put a special message for your child. As space is limited, you may only purchase one tribute per student/group.They are $25.

Click the link here or posted on the school website and select Create a Personal Ad. There are only 96 spots available and are on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to get yours in by the November 16th deadline! Thank you!

CJSF is an Honor Society that recognizes students for their academic achievement and service to the community. Spring 2024 membership will be open to both 7th and 8th graders who earn qualifying grades. Applications will not be available until after Winter Break, but students who plan to join are able to start working on their Community Service hours now. Questions should be directed to Leslie Wright

Click here for more information or to print the Community Service Log - students can also pick up a copy from Room 206.

Click here to view the CJSF website - new/upcoming Volunteer Opportunities will be posted regularly.

October is National Bullying Month and Mrs. Ana Mathers, our Wellness Coordinator, has many activities planned for students to engage in to "Rise against Bullying".

Los Angeles County Science Fair is hosting an art contest that students can participate in. According to the theme creator, "Unleashing Curiosity” encourages participants to embrace their innate curiosity and explore the transformative power of science. By unleashing curiosity, minds are ignited with new ideas and inspiration, fostering a passion for scientific inquiry. This theme highlights the long-term impact of scientific exploration, transforming individuals' futures by opening doors to educational and career opportunities in science and engineering. It inspires wonder, excitement, and a commitment to learning and growth. Furthermore, the ignition of minds allows for the creation of novel opportunities, not just for the individual, but for the communal world, thus explaining the phrase "transforming futures", as science has the capability to both change the course of history and transform human society for the better.

We are now soliciting student artwork that communicates this theme. The selected artwork will be used on the event program, award medals, certificates, and placards. Artwork should be limited to three colors and in high resolution, Students are not required to participate in the fair to submit artwork for consideration.

Submissions should be emailed to President@lascifair.org with the student's name, grade, and school. The deadline for submissions is October 27, 2023

Halloween is approaching. Here are our school guidelines for costumes:

This year we will celebrate Halloween by allowing students to dress up for the holiday on October 31. We still need to find that important balance between having fun and maintaining a focus on learning for the day. We are excited to celebrate in this way and appreciate your partnership in making it a positive experience for all. Below are our guidelines to support you and your family in making costume choices with your child for the school day.

1. Please leave costume accessories at home (i.e. swords, wands, light sabers, etc.).

2. Costumes should not demean or make fun of any individual, group, or culture. Please be sensitive to our beautiful diversity here at RP.

3. Please, no inflatable costumes that would not allow your student to sit comfortably at their desk and participate in learning activities.

4. For their safety, students may not wear a mask that covers their faces in its entirety.

5. Please save costumes that promote violence and excessive blood and gore for after school.

6. Halloween shirts, necklaces, socks, headbands, etc. are great alternatives.

7. Character costumes should be G-rated.

School administration will make final determinations on the appropriateness of costumes as needed.

Grades should be a reflection of learning. It is important that student have their work done so that their grade is accurate.

Looking at the data for Rancho Pico's 1st Quarter Grades, we had 39 students (out of 855) who failed one or more classes (14 7th graders and 25 8th graders). We had many more students who received Ds in classes.

If your student is struggling with assessments, with organization or with missing assignments, we have supports in place. Please reach out to your student's teacher and counselor.

Does your student need extra help with academics? We have advanced math students from West Ranch who come over on Wednesdays and offer free math tutoring from 3:00 to 4:00 in Mrs. McHorney's room, 604. Students from any math level are welcome to come and get support!

We also have tutoring for all subjects, available on Mondays in room 605 in Mrs. Spector's room and Thursdays in room 207 in Mr. Smith's room.

Rancho Pico students are opportunity Ready!

Students are encouraged to wear a college shirt or a shirt that represents a future career goal on Thursdays. It is great to see all of the college and industry shirts out on campus.

Fridays are Spirit Days and students are encouraged to wear Rancho Pico Spirit wear.

The William S. Hart Union High School District prohibits unlawful discrimination against and/or harassment of any student, employee, or job applicant on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, political affiliation, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by state and federal nondiscrimination laws, respectively, at any District site and/or activity. The William S. Hart Union High School District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. All inquiries regarding discrimination, civil rights, Title II, and/or Title IX should be directed to Mark Crawford, Director of Human Resources. Complaints regarding 504 plans should be directed to Erum Velek, Director of Student Services and Equity. Both can be reached at the William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, or by phone (661) 259-0033, or by email: UCP@hartdistrict.org.

El Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias William S. Hart Union prohíbe la discriminación ilegal y/o el acoso de cualquier estudiante, empleado o solicitante de empleo basado en raza actual o percibido, el color, el origen étnico, el origen nacional, el estado migratorio, la ascendencia, la religión, la edad, estado civil, embarazo, estado parental, discapacidad física o mental, condición médica, estado militar o de veterano, afiliación política, sexo, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, información genética, orientación sexual o cualquier otra base, prohibida por leyes estatales y federales. Leyes de no discriminación, respectivamente, en cualquier sitio y/o actividad del Distrito. El Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias William S. Hart Union también proporciona igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles designados. Todas las consultas sobre discriminación, derechos civiles, Título II y/o Título IX deben dirigirse a Mark Crawford, Director de Recursos Humanos. Las quejas relacionadas con los planes 504 deben dirigirse a Erum Velek, Director de Equidad y Servicios Estudiantiles. Se puede comunicar con ambos en William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Center Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, o por teléfono (661) 259-0033, o por correo electrónico: UCP@hartdistrict.org.